CANDIDE or OPTIMISM

CANDIDE or OPTIMISM ZADIG JEANNOT AND COLIN VOLTAIRE and POLACK (Robert) Paris, Editions Nilsson, Collection Lotus, circa 1928-30. Sextodecimo (16mo), of 7 leaves + 217 pages. Brown half-morocco binding with corners, spine with 5 raised bands, gilt author and title, original illustrated covers and spine preserved. Good overall condition, fresh interior without foxing. Beautiful binding. Edition illustrated with 6 watercolors on tracing paper by Robert Polack as well as 2 others forming the original cover of the book. The book includes CANDIDE or OPTIMISM, ZADIG, and JEANNOT AND COLIN. Candide or Optimism is a philosophical tale by Voltaire published in Geneva in January 1759. It was one of the greatest Francophone literary successes. Only a month after its publication, six thousand copies had been sold, a considerable number for the time. Voltaire (1694-1778), was a writer, Enlightenment philosopher, storyteller, and French playwright, recognized as one of the most famous figures of his time, notably for having written the works: Mérope, Essay on the Manners and Spirit of Nations, or Candide.